Nature of Magic

The academic study of magic, in the form of wizardry, has long been studied by the older civilizations with ancient colleges and universities dedicated to all academic studies, including all aspects of wizardry. It is even rumored the lost Library of Alexandria once was home to knowledge from beyond the world of Terra Viejo, though such speculation has never been confirmed. Among the dwarves there are clans who have dedicated generations to the study and control of the arcane knowledge of wizardry. Among younger civilizations, formal arcane study remains quite rare, in no small part due to their relative youth and while their passion and determination make them capable of great strides in the arcane study of magic, such knowledge rarely survives the catastrophic falls so common among them. Outside the great halls of the oldest seats of learning, there are those who have chosen to pursue the academic path of wizardry in isolation, studying ancient - sometimes stolen - texts regarding the nature of magic. Under exceptional circumstances these “hermit” wizards will take on apprentices they consider capable of comprehending the complex formulas necessary to control the arcane. In distant east in the lands of Cathay, those born of the dragon not gifted by their blood must seek a similar, shameful path to magic, that if discovered by their kin would lead to banishment and exile, if not death. Among the tribes of the uruk and goblinkin a scholastic approach to magic is almost unheard of.
The dragonborn of Cathay shun the very idea of wizardry, but a sorcerer’s natural ability to control arcane magic is commonly considered a gift from their forebears and is said to bring honor upon the families in which this gift is strongest. Additionally, it is not uncommon to find sorcerous abilities among the uruk and goblinkin tribes, with the hobgoblins recognizing the importance of bloodlines to ensure the presence of this ability. Humans that manifest sorcerous abilities often trace the power to an ancestor’s interaction with the supernatural. Dwarves are uncomfortable with those of their kin born with the power of the arcane in their blood, simply because it disrupts the order of things. Manipulators of the arcane in this manner are difficult to train and such casters are often quite chaotic in nature. While always considered a part of their clan, dwarven sorcerers often find themselves at odds with their kin and thus seek a life outside of the hold. Among the elves sorcerous magic is considered an aberration and while they understand the sources of arcane blood there remains an irrational, almost instinctual, fear of those who are able to wield such power. Those born into elven communities will often flee their kin upon the discovery of this power, as they know its presence will draw hostility not only upon themselves, but potentially their entire family.
Those not born with arcane blood, or those unable or unwilling, to seek out arcane secrets through mentors and academic study have instead found a quicker path to access the power they seek through pacts with beings defying mortal understanding. The dangers of forming bonds with such beings are often overshadowed, in their impetuous minds, by the relative ease they have in gaining access to considerable arcane power. Such pacts are almost unheard of among the older civilizations, the persistent wisdom of long life or calamitous experience reminding them of the risks inherent to such agreements. Among the dragonborn it is possible, if desperate enough, one would consider the risk worthwhile to improve one’s status. The uruk and goblinkin would generally not consider the path, not because they fear the dangers of such a pact, but because the desire to obtain arcane power is often not a driving presence among them.
All those creatures of Terra Viejo approach bardic magic in their own way. Seats of academic learning have colleges dedicated to the study of intermingling music and dance with magic. The dwarven holds have well-established lore keepers dedicated to maintaining their history and teaching the next generation the songs of their hold. Among the uruk and goblinkin there are the war callers who maintain the pace of travel and inspire their kin to great feats. Across Terra Viejo there is great variety in the study of bardic magic. At every level of civilization there are those who blend music, song, and oratory with magic. There are troubadours traveling with great knights, glorifying their patron’s deeds in every city and castle they pass through, as well as fearless skalds shouting battle cries as they wade into combat and telling tales of their exploits in the mead halls at night. The mysterious connection to the arcane held by all bards is respected among all and none can deny the power they wield through their force of personality.